The Kansas City Chiefs were set to watch Maxx Crosby get out of the basement of the AFC West and head to a top conference rival, but that changed in an instant on Tuesday night.
The Las Vegas Raiders had agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens on a blockbuster deal, one that shipped Crosby in exchange for a massive slate of draft picks. That fell apart before it could be finalized, with the Raiders taking to social media to announce that the deal had blown up.
“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby. We will have no further comment at this time,” the team shared in a post on X.
The development could have major implications for the Chiefs, who could have some help keeping pace with another rival trying to jump back into Super Bowl contention.
Maxx Crosby Trade Blown Up After Physical
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reported that the trade fell apart after Crosby underwent a physical with the Ravens.
“No further details were provided in the Raiders’ announcement, but league sources told ESPN the Ravens backed out because of medical concerns that arose during a physical,” McFadden reported. “Trades are contingent on players passing the physical and aren’t official until the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.”
What happens next could have significant implications for the Chiefs, who could see Crosby return to the AFC West instead of going to a Super Bowl contender. The Raiders were meeting to contemplate their next move, which could be a second attempt at a trade.
“The Raiders were set to meet Tuesday night to try to figure out their next steps, according to sources,” McFadden wrote. “It is unclear whether a Crosby deal can be revived in some form, but this puts Las Vegas in a difficult situation due to all of the money it has already committed to outside free agents.”
Outlook Isn’t Good for the Ravens
A report from ESPN noted that, while the teams can try again to complete the trade, odds are the Ravens won’t end up with Crosby.
“Anything is possible at this point, but the Ravens’ history says no,” the report noted. “There have been three previous instances in which Baltimore has rescinded free agent deals because of issues with physicals — safety Brock Marion in 1997, wide receiver Ryan Grant in 2018 and defensive lineman Michael Brockers in 2020 — and the Ravens moved on from that player each time.”
The Ravens are looking to bounce back after missing out on the playoffs in 2025, and the Crosby trade was expected to be a major boost to those hopes. The Chiefs are also seeking a rebound, and now could face less competition for a playoff spot in a stacked AFC.
If the Raiders don’t end up trading Crosby, it will still have an impact on the Chiefs next season. The star edge rusher has six career sacks against Patrick Mahomes, even if the Raiders haven’t had much success against Kansas City as a franchise.
What Surprise Maxx Crosby Development Means for the Chiefs